PA Dental Implants Expert Says Patients Should Research Dentists before Undergoing Dental Implant Pr - By: Dr. D

COLLEGEVILLE, WILLIAMSPORT AND PHILADELPHIA, PA – Even the dentistry field has not escaped the effects of a sluggish economy.

Dental implantologists are seeing an ever-increasing number of general dentists try to get into the dental implant market as a means of generating income by taking continuing education courses.

The problem? Some dentists take as little as two days of training before they begin offering dental implant procedures in their offices, said Williamsport, PA dental implants specialist Dr. David DiGiallorenzo, who has specialized in dental implantology and periodontics since 1995. He is an internationally-known speaker on these topics.

"Dentistry has eleven specialties, and dentists have a general scope of practice once they finish dental school," said the PA periodontics expert. "Dentists who select a specialty sometimes go through an additional three to five years of training after dental school."

Specialists often wind up with an additional master's or doctoral degree in their specialty in the process.

"There are no rules that govern what a general dentist can and cannot do,"DiGiallorenzo said. "That a huge difference from medical doctors, where a general practitioner wouldn’t even consider doing an orthopedic procedure or a heart procedure."

But to some dentists, desperate times call for desperate measures. Combine that with the fact that some dental implants manufacturers practically encourage dentists to branch out into implants and it isn’t surprising that dentists are attempting to learn the procedure, he said.

"Unfortunately, the corporate side of biomedical devices in dentistry often views the additional sales from these dentists as a positive, even if is not in the profession's or patients' best interests," said the Williamsport, PA periodontist.

Biomedical device manufacturers don't appear to be concerned about whether patient care is sacrificed, he said, particularly after years of leading implant companies viewing the training of dentists as a core growth opportunity for themselves.

The Institute for Dental Implant Awareness was formed in 1997 to address growing concerns surrounding this issue. It is a non-profit group that offers objective, independent, authoritative information on the benefits of dental implants as an alternative treatment option for tooth replacement. The corporation also keeps watch over industry changes and seeks to protect the patient population by providing standards for privately run courses supported by implant manufacturers, according to the institute's website.

Patients Must Do Their Homework
It is important that patients considering a dental implant procedure research their dentist before entrusting him/her with specialized treatments and procedures such as dental implants and periodontal surgery, said DiGiallorenzo, whose Collegeville and Williamsport, PA periodontics practices offer both services.

Although it is legal for any licensed dentist to place dental implants, all dentists have not undergone extensive training in this specialty, nor are they necessarily experienced in handling potential complications that can occur, according to the IDIA website.
Dental implant treatment is successful when performed by trained oral surgeons and periodontists. These surgical specialists have undergone extensive training and experience with the surgical procedures and they are well-versed on possible complications, the site stated.

That kind of training cannot be offered in one- to three-day training courses on implant surgery.
Dentists and patients alike need to understand that complications can occur, even when dental implant procedures are performed by qualified surgical specialists.

"The difference is that these specialists have an abundance of experience and training on their side,” DiGiallorenzo said. "They are better equipped to address the complications that could occur.”

Because placing implants is a surgical procedure and there is a absence of laws requiring dentists to have extensive training prior to surgically placing implants, patients must ask questions about training and experience prior to undergoing implant surgery.

The IDIA website has a page of information patients can refer to when selecting a dentist or specialist to perform their implant procedure.

About Dr. David Digiallorenzo
Dr. David Digiallorenzo, or "Dr. D," graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1993 and completed a specialty in periodontics and dental implantology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.

He is a past associate clinical professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Periodontics. He teaches nationally and internationally and is a regular contributor to dental literature.

Dr. D's private practice in suburban Philadelphia concentrates on periodontics, dental implantology, advanced reconstructive case management and TMJ treatment. It is a unique dental spa with two full-time massage therapists that specialize in reflexology, reiki, massage, aromatherapy and homeopathy. This combination creates a relaxed, optimal healing response.
Dr. D has two office locations: 184 W. Main St., Ste. 200, in Collegeville, PA; and 121 E. Fourth St. in Williamsport, PA.

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If you would like to learn more about PA dental implants provider and Collegeville and Williamsport, PA periodontists at Dr. David DiGiallorenzo's office or you wish to schedule a consultation, please call (610) 409-6064 in Collegeville; (570) 322-4741 in Williamsport; or visit his Web site: http://www.perioimplants.us.

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